Kota Kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star Sabah) President Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan denied having compromised its principles by backing the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, following the 17th Sabah election.
Jeffrey said Star’s decision to support the formation of a Sabah unity government was based on the will of the majority of party members, divisional chiefs and the party’s Supreme Council.
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He said it was aimed at ensuring political stability as the coalition led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor did not secure enough seats to govern on its own.
“GRS proposed the formation of a unity government for political stability, and this was also Star’s position because the election is over and it is now time to serve the people,” he said.
He said the party would continue to consistently fight for Sabah’s rights and interests whether in government or opposition.
“We are not sitting within GRS, but assisting GRS to form a unity government because that is what the people want based on the election results.”
Star pulled out of the ruling GRS coalition on the eve of the polls to run solo, declared it supports GRS when the election results were announced, before declaring it preferred to be in the opposition and finally announced that it again decided to work with GRS.
Earlier, Star candidates in the election declared their full support for Jeffrey in respect of any decisions made on the party’s future direction.
Among the key issues raised were severe financial constraints compared with political rivals, including allegations of cash handouts to voters on polling day, which candidates said continued to undermine democratic integrity in the State.
They also acknowledged the lingering reality that some voters were still willing to trade five years of their future for money, a situation they described as a bitter but persistent challenge to transparency and ethical politics in Sabah.
During the session, several candidates voiced dissatisfaction over internal party matters, campaign strategies and the level of support at the constituency level.
However, following detailed explanation by the president on the party’s actual circumstances, limitations and operational challenges, the candidates said they accepted the clarifications with understanding and openness.
They subsequently reaffirmed their pledge to stand firmly behind the party leadership in whatever decisions are taken for the benefit of the people and the future of Star.
This show of solidarity was echoed by Star leaders and members at divisional level across the state, reflecting broad grassroots confidence in the party’s direction under Jeffrey’s leadership.
Divisions that openly declared support included Bandau, Nabawan, Sulabayan, Bingkor and Tanjung Aru, among others, underscoring internal unity within the party.
He also urged candidates and party leaders to remain active in their respective areas, strengthen engagement with the people and enhance the party’s grassroots presence.
Jeffrey further warned that the party would implement a cleansing process against individuals who failed to respect party decisions or acted outside established guidelines without leadership approval, with firm action to be taken to safeguard discipline and integrity.
Also present at the meeting was Star Sabah treasurer-general and Api-Api division chief Raffie Shakir.
The meeting was widely seen as a significant step towards reinforcing internal unity and consolidating party machinery in Star’s continued struggle for the rights, welfare and future of the people of Sabah.
